Renal Sinus Infection: What You Need to Know

Renal sinus infection, or commonly known as kidney or upper urinary tract infection, can cause serious medical problems when not addressed immediately. It might even lead to renal sinus cyst that can cause life-threatening conditions and serious health reverses.

Our kidneys are a vital organ that needs to be taken cared of since these remove toxic materials in the body such as urine, and help in balancing electrolytes, minerals, salt and water. When the function of the kidneys are hampered by infection and stop getting rid of waste products then our bodily functions are in trouble as well. There will be electrolyte and fluid build-up in the body which might prove very hazardous to one’s health.

The renal sinus serves as the location for most nerves and calyxes that are responsible for waste disposal of the kidney. Below is a more thorough discussion of the renal sinus.

Definition of Renal Sinus

What is renal sinus? It is simply a cavity in the kidney that serves as the expansion behind the renal calyxes, renal pelvis, nerves, blood vessels and fat.

Symptoms of renal sinus infection include lower back pain, urinary urgency, excessive excretion of pus or blood and fever.

Cause of Renal Sinus Infection

It can be caused by poor nutrition, bacterial infection in the urine from the anus, skin and vagina. Unhygienic practices during sexual intercourse can also cause this type of infection.

Pregnant women are also exposed to higher risk of this type of infection since the urethra is shorter, their urethras pressured due to the enlarged uterus and frequent urination opens them to bacterial infection. Structural abnormalities in the kidney may also cause this problem.

Catheters can also cause infection since it provides the “passage” for the bacteria to get inside the kidney. Kidney stones are also culprits when it comes to causing infections that can affect the renal sinus of the kidney. Since these causes obstruction in the passage of urine, bacteria build up is not impossible thus increasing the chances of renal sinus infection.

Prevalence

Renal sinus infection or upper Urinary tract infections are more prevalent in women that are 50years old and below. It is also common in children especially for girls 4 years and below. The said infection is rare in men and usually affects 10% of men and 40% of women in their lifetime.

Common Bacteria that Causes Renal Sinus Infection

Most of kidney infections are caused by bacteria that attack the urinary system. The most popular is E. coli or Escherichia coli that is responsible for 80% of kidney infection cases. Others may be caused by:

Staphylococcus Saprophyticus

Pseudomonas,

Proteus,

Klebsiella,

Enterococcus,

Symptoms of a Kidney Infection

Here are some of the symptoms that one is suffering from a kidney infection:

A persistent urge to urinate.

Burning sensation during urination

Chills.

Dehydration

Fatigue

Fever.

Frequent urination

General malaise.

General weakness

Hematuria. Or the presence of blood or pus in the urine

Nausea.

Pain in the abdominal area.

Pain in the side flank, back, or groin,

Pain while urinating

Rapid heart rate

Tenderness on the lower rib or the lower flanks

Vomiting.

Complications

When not taken seriously, it can cause serious damage to your kidney and other conditions such as renal failure or permanent kidney damage, and sepsis. Once the kidney fails, it will be irreversible. Fluid will start building up and cause serious damage to your other body organs. Other elements such as salt, minerals and sugar will start to get imbalanced which will cause you serious problems and other life-threatening diseases that can cost you your life.

Prevention/Solution to Fight Off Renal Sinus Infection

Antibiotics are proven effective to avoid the progress of the infection. The earlier this is treated, the better since renal failure can cost you your life. It is best to consult with your doctor immediately.

The proper diagnosis should be done to properly solve the problem and for you to get the best treatment for the renal sinus infection. This will also determine the length of the treatment required to get rid of the infection.

When appropriate a home remedy may be sufficient, with antibiotic oral intake, rest and fluid and food intake. Cranberry juices have proven to be effective against infections. However if you are suffering from severe symptoms of vomiting and nausea then a stay in the hospital might be recommended.

Usually a urinalysis will be conducted to determine the severity of the infection. Urinalysis can be macroscopic or microscopic depending upon your case. Other tests might include a CT scan for more extreme cases.

Other things that you can do to prevent the recurrence of an infection is to stay away from spicy foods, drink lots of water, practice a healthier lifestyle like regular exercise to get rid of toxins through your pores, eat the right kinds of food like fruits and vegetables, regularly emptying of your bladder to get rid of urine and regular check-ups with your doctor.

Proper cleaning of the genitalia area including the anus is also important since most of the bacteria comes from these areas. For those who have to use catheters, a regularly change of catheters will greatly help in keeping those nasty bacteria build-up from ever happening.

Your well-being and the normal functionality of your kidney are in your hands. To avoid renal sinus infection it is important to keep your immune system strong to fight off infection, take the proper preventive measures and practice healthy habits such as sufficient water intake and eating the right kind of food.

When faced with a renal sinus infection or you feel any of the symptoms mentioned, do not hesitate to ask for medical assistance or go to your physician as early as possible. This is a medical condition that you have to take seriously and correct as early as possible. Take good care of your kidney, so that your kidney can take good care of you.